Polarization holography reveals the nature of the grating in polymers containing azo-dye

in Optics Communications (2000), 185(1-3), 1-12

To study the origin of reversible holographic recording in three polymers containing the same azo-dye, we have measured the diffraction efficiency and analyzed the gratings characteristics for various ... [more ▼]

To study the origin of reversible holographic recording in three polymers containing the same azo-dye, we have measured the diffraction efficiency and analyzed the gratings characteristics for various writing beams polarizations. The amplitude of the holographic grating, as well as the ratio between index and absorption modulations, have been investigated by gratings shifting. The total amount of diffracted power and the diffraction efficiency versus the reading beam polarization has been measured by non-degenerated four waves mixing. These experiments have revealed that the molecular mechanisms of holographic recording in the studied compounds are different. The photoinduced orientation of the chromophores is predominant for C6-C11-DMNPAA; so, in C11-C6-DMNPAA (DMNPAA: 2,5-dimethyl-4-(p-nitrophenylazo)anisole), the refractive index variation comes from the presence of both trans and cis populations generated by photoisomerization. The behavior of the PVK:DMNPAA is included between these extreme cases since both phenomena act. [less ▲]

Synthesis and polarized light-induced birefringence of new polymethacrylates containing carbazolyl and azobenzene pendant groups

in Journal of Polymer Science Part B-Polymer Physics (2000), 38(1), 205-213

Low Tg copolymers of [11(N-carbazolyl)undecylmethacrylate] and [2,5-dimethylphenyl-[(4-nitrophenyl)azo]-phenoxyalkylmethacrylate] have been synthesized and the polarized light-induced birefringence of ... [more ▼]

Low Tg copolymers of [11(N-carbazolyl)undecylmethacrylate] and [2,5-dimethylphenyl-[(4-nitrophenyl)azo]-phenoxyalkylmethacrylate] have been synthesized and the polarized light-induced birefringence of thick films (70 m) has been investigated at a constant deducted temperature relative to Tg (T - Tg = 10 °C). The optical properties of these copolymers have been studied in relation to the azo-dye content and the length of the alkyl spacer between the azo-dye and the methacrylic backbone. They have been compared with the dispersion of (4-methoxy-2,5-dimethylphenyl)-(4-nitrophenyl)diazene (DMNPAA) within a poly[11(N-carbazolyl)undecyl-methacrylate] and a poly[N-vinylcarbazole] (PVK) matrix. The experimental curves have been fitted by biexponentials, so emphasizing the effects of the copolymer structure on the kinetics of the writing process. The photoinduced orientation is more than three orders of magnitude higher in a grafted material compared to the dispersion version. The azo-dye concentration also has an important role in both the amplitude and the dynamics of the photo-orientation. [less ▲]